Governor directs state to improve response to FOIA requests

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a luncheon Friday that was held as part of the Michigan Press Association's annual convention. (Kate Hessling/Huron Daily Tribune)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a luncheon Friday that was held as part of the Michigan Press Association's annual convention. (Kate Hessling/Huron Daily Tribune)

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a luncheon Friday that was held as part of the Michigan Press Association's annual convention. (Kate Hessling/Huron Daily Tribune)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a luncheon Friday that was held as part of the Michigan Press Association's annual convention. (Kate Hessling/Huron Daily Tribune)

Governor directs state to improve response to FOIA requests

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GRAND RAPIDS — The sun was shining in Michigan in more ways than one on Friday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive to strengthen Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act by closing loopholes and fostering a more user-friendly process within departments and agencies through the use of transparency liaisons to facilitate public requests.

“State government must be open, transparent, and accountable to taxpayers,” Whitmer said. “I’m signing this executive directive to ensure that Michiganders have open access to state records and meetings, and to help the public navigate their state government. This is an important step to infuse integrity in governance and earn back public trust.”

The Democratic governor signed the order during a luncheon held as part of the Michigan Press Association’s annual convention in Grand Rapids Friday.

Whitmer feels Michigan has earned an F in accountability. She has vowed to make her office more transparent, and hopes the Legislature will follow the executive branch’s lead, particularly when it comes down to financial disclosure.

“The sun should shine and shine brightly on both branches – and that is why I think it’s really important that we continue to try to get a good policy passed so this isn’t just a policy for the Whitmer administration,” Whitmer said, adding it’s something that should affect future governors and legislatures.

She noted Friday marked the first day of her second month in office. She feels her administration hit the ground running to address several campaign promises, including her promise to make sure that our state and government are more transparent and accountable to the public.

“We are going to hold our government to the highest ethical standard that Michigan has ever seen – and it matters … it’s crucial we restore trust in our state government,” Whitmer said.

Highlights from Whitmer’s executive directive include the following:

• A transparency liaison will be designated within departments and agencies to facilitate FOIA requests and find ways to disclose public records in a cost-efficient manner.

• The use of extension periods to grant FOIA requests in a timely manner will be limited.

• The governor encourages all FOIA requests be fulfilled by, or before, the deadline.

• Departments and agencies will be required to send a notice if a request will take longer to fulfill.

• Officials will be prohibited from using electronic communication to conduct business during public meetings.

• The order urges the use of live streaming to broadcast public meetings to anywhere in the state.

• The order compels the Department of Technology, Management and Budget to devise an online system where public notices and records can be uploaded.